Category Archives: The Community

Why Pink?

Pink Shirt Day 2025 is Friday 16th May –  Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

This year we are inviting the whole UC tīma to join us in marking the occasion.

Bullying is an issue that occurs across the community, including in workplaces and classrooms. We are all responsible for addressing the bullying around us.

This Friday, wear pink, take a stand against bullying in our community, and show your commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for our ākonga, kaimahi, and communities to thrive.

Why Pink?

Pink Shirt Day originated in Canada in 2007 after two high school students (David Shepherd and Travis Price) witnessed a fellow student experience homophobic bullying for wearing a pink shirt. They responded by buying and distributing pink shirts to show solidarity with the bullied student. Their actions sparked a global response, and in 2012 Aotearoa’s Mental Health Foundation adopted Pink Shirt Day as an annual antibullying campaign.

Want to look into it further?

The Pink Shirt Day website has a range of awesome resources, including information on bullying, being an Upstander or applying things at mahi!

Check out UC Wellbeing’s Instagram to see the advice we are giving our ākonga this year, and check out what we have on next week 🙂

Wishing you a happy Easter 

Dear students, 

As we continue to celebrate the diversity of our university community, we recognise the significance of Easter for many of our students and staff. Alongside those who celebrate the holiday as a secular, family or rest time, Lent and Easter remain important religious holidays for many in our community. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ continues to inspire Christians of many varieties and traditions in special times of prayer, service and celebration. 

To all who are celebrating, we wish you a holy, joyous and meaningful Easter. May this time bring you peace, happiness and connection with family and loved ones. 

The UC Chaplaincy team are here to support you and we offer pastoral and practical support regardless of your background or beliefs. We can be found in Forestry 115, and offer spiritual and pastoral care, and practical support, including community lunches, a pop up vege stall, and wellbeing support for students and staff. 

Ngā mihi, 

John Fox, Senior Chaplain 

Join us to commemorate ANZAC Day 2025!

Join us to commemorate ANZAC Day 2025!

Please join us on Friday 25 April between 10am-11am to pay respects to those who are serving, or have served, and who are called upon to support the country in times of war, conflict and disaster.

All are welcome to attend – students, staff and the wider community.

Our service will be held on the Quad between Matariki and Puaka-James Hight Building, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. This will be followed by some refreshments on Okeover Lawn at the Field of Remembrance and the Gallipoli Lone Pine.

We hope to see you all there!